In the state pastoral office.
Seeing Xi Zhicai take the order and leave, Liu Hong couldn't help but look at the sand table in front of him.
Between Yanzhou and Xuzhou, Lu County is like a nail, directly separated between the two states.
If he wants to plan for Xuzhou, he must first plan for Lu County.
However, this would definitely offend Yuan Shu.
Lu County is under the jurisdiction of Yuzhou.
The current governor of Yuzhou is Yuan Shu, who is fighting with Jingzhou.
Due to its special location, Lu County was too far away from the Yuzhou front. Even though it nominally belonged to Yuzhou, Yuan Shu was beyond his reach.
It has always been equivalent to a semi-stocking state.
Relying on Yanzhou and Xuzhou, and going deep into the hinterland of Yanzhou, he must win such a key position no matter what.
He would not hesitate to offend Yuan Shu.
Otherwise, with this nail, Yuan Shu is equivalent to taking the initiative and can directly enter the counties of Yanzhou from Lu County at any time.
Lu Jun was in Yuan Shu's hands for one day, and he could not sleep well. He had to be wary of Yuan Shu's back stab at any time.
However, taking over Lu County is not as difficult as imagined.
Yuan Shu had little control over Lu County.
The real people in power in Lu County are the nobles.
Therefore, if we want to capture Lu County, we only need to convince the Lu County nobles and the Lu County Governor to surrender, and the matter will be more than half done.
"Zhongde, who is the leader of the Lu County nobles?"
Liu Hong looked at Cheng Yu and asked.
"My lord, the noble clan of Lu County is headed by the Kong family."
Cheng Yu responded with his hands raised.
Kong?
"The Kong family has a high status in Lu County and is the leader."
"Wen Ju is the most outstanding person of the Kong family in the current generation."
Cheng Yu told Liu Hong everything he knew.
Liu Hong nodded thoughtfully.
"Chuan Wenju came to see me."
"Yes, my lord!"
Cheng Yu nodded, followed the order and left.
Not long after, Cheng Yu brought Kong Rong to the Prefecture Mufu.
"grown ups!"
After Kong Rong saluted respectfully, he looked at Liu Hong doubtfully and didn't know why he called him over.
"Wenju, I want you to go to Lu County and persuade the Kong family to join me. What do you think?"
Liu Hong looked at Kong Rong.
If you want to take down Lu County without any bloodshed, the Kong family is the top priority.
When Kong Rong heard this, he immediately agreed.
"Don't worry, sir. If it's somewhere else, it's hard to say."
"But Lu County is the ancestral home of Kong Rong. I am quite famous in Lu County. It will be easy to persuade the nobles of Lu County to join me."
Kong Rong smiled confidently after speaking.
Going back to Lu County is like going home, why is it so difficult?
"Then I'll have to worry about Wen Ju."
Liu Hong nodded with satisfaction.
"My lord, you don't need to be like this. You will eat your salary and worry about your worries."
"I'll come back as soon as I go."
Kong Rong smiled freely, waved his sleeves, and left with the style of a celebrity.
After bidding farewell to all the nobles and celebrities in Yanzhou, Kong Rong took a carriage directly to Lu County.
Lujun, Kong family.
When the clan elders heard that Kong Rong was back, they were naturally overjoyed.
After meeting the clan elders, Kong Rong directly stated his intention.
"Now wars are raging. Cao Cao of Qingzhou, Tao Qian of Xuzhou, Yuan Shu of Jingzhou, Yuan Shao of Jizhou, and Gongsun Zan of Youzhou have all become princes with great ambitions."
"From what I can see, these are just scumbags who only stir up war for their own selfish interests. Only Liu Hong, the shepherd of Yanzhou, can hold such a great responsibility in this world."
"Not to mention the people living and working in peace and contentment in Yanzhou, let's talk about the group of elite soldiers and generals under his command. Who can fight with them today? Cao Cao, Tao Qian, and Yuan Shao don't dare to test their skills."
"Now, I want to bring Kong to join Mingde Gong so that he can achieve great things."
From the people's livelihood to the strength, Kong Rong explained all aspects one by one for everyone in the Kong family.
But when a group of elders heard that they had taken refuge with Liu Hong, they suddenly hesitated.
After all, the Kong family never takes sides. With their status and ancestors' blessings, as long as they don't participate in factional disputes, no one will commit a crime against them.
But once you rashly take sides, the situation will be different.
Seeing the clan members hesitating, timid, and reluctant to make a decision, Kong Rong couldn't help but sneered.
"I thought that there were one or two knowledgeable people among my Kong family, but I didn't know that they are all a bunch of cowards."
"I, Kong Rong, am ashamed to be in the company of you and others."
After speaking for a moment, Kong Rong looked down at everyone, and there was no trace of warmth on his face.
"The Kong family's generation is full of you old thieves who are incompetent and do nothing. The ancestors of the Kong family are dead!"
As soon as Kong Rong said this, everyone in the Kong family looked furious.
"As a descendant of the Kong family, I have no respect for my elders, no rules, and simply wanton!"
"How dare you speak nonsense about your ancestors despite your virtues and abilities!"
The elder of the Kong family rebuked angrily.
Kong Rong sneered and walked away.
He, Kong Rong, is the face of Kong's generation, a celebrity among celebrities. Where he is, there is no need to rely on Kong's reputation.
His face and name are his greatest dignity.
I originally wanted to support the Kong family, but unfortunately, they were all a bunch of cowards.
After leaving the Kong family, Kong Rong did not leave. Instead, he came to the Lu County Sheriff's Mansion and met directly with the Lu County Sheriff.
"Wen Ju, why are you here? Hurry up and take a seat."
The governor of Lu County knew that Kong Rong was famous and his tone was unspeakably polite.
After all, if he really offended Kong Rong, his reputation in the circle of celebrities and Lujun gentry would be completely ruined.
In this era, reputation is more important than anything else.
With a good reputation, he will be a guest wherever he goes and he will eat well.
Otherwise, everything comes to an end.
"Kong Rong came here for the life of the governor."
Kong Rong got straight to the point, and his words made the governor of Lu County change his face.
Kong Rong ignored it and continued.
"Nowadays, the princes are divided, and Lu County is in a dangerous situation. There is Yanzhou in the west and Xuzhou in the east. The county has been under guard for a long time without knowing it."
"The current plan, if you want to get a chance of survival, the only way is to surrender to my lord Liu Hong."
When the governor of Lu County heard this, his expression turned gloomy and he felt indignant.
He treated Kong Rong with courtesy, but the other party was so disrespectful.
Tell him directly in front of him that he is going to die, how can he not be angry no matter how good-tempered he is.
But because of Kong Rong's reputation as a famous scholar, he could only endure it and not have an attack.
"Haha, Wen Ju's words are alarmist. Lu County is affiliated with Yuzhou. If Xuzhou and Yanzhou are fighting against each other, how can Yuzhou Governor Yuan Shu ignore it?"
The Sheriff of Lu County explained forcefully.
When Kong Rong heard this, he shook his head and smiled.
"Yuan Shu from Yuzhou is a man who enjoys great achievements but is brave but not resourceful. Now he is involved in Jingzhou and is weak. The front line in Yuzhou is far away and beyond reach. How can I save you?"
"My lord Liu Hong captured Yanzhou and captured Qingzhou. Tao Qian of Xuzhou and Yuan Shao of Jizhou are not afraid of him. He has the qualifications of a heroic lord. How does he compare to Yuan Shu?"
"My lord remembers that Lu County is the land of my clan and does not want blood to flow like a river. If you insist on taking Lu County, how many days do you think this county can hold back Yanzhou's troops?"
Kong Rong stood up, with his hands behind his back, and his tone was quite proud.
"I came here not as a lobbyist, but out of friendship and to save the governor's life."
After saying that, he waved his hands and rolled his sleeves.
"If you find out that you have gone astray, you will not seek refuge with my lord, but with the Han Dynasty!"
The Sheriff of Lu County couldn't help but be startled when he looked at the high-spirited Kong Rong.
Join the Han Dynasty?
"You still want Wen Ju to give me some advice?"
Kong Rong said matter-of-factly with a smile on his face.
"My lord's righteous grandson Liu Xuande is a descendant of the Han Dynasty. He is very important and can carry on great achievements."
"When my lord dies, the power will be returned to the Han Dynasty."
"Who is worthy of the great responsibility, Yuan Shu or my lord? You can think carefully about who can support the generals of the Han Dynasty."
After finishing speaking, Kong Rong turned around and left without waiting for the governor of Lu County to speak.
Just as he was about to step out of the hall, he heard the voice of Sheriff Lu coming from behind.
"Wenju, wait a minute!"
When Kong Rong heard this, the corners of his mouth raised inadvertently.
It’s done!
A few days later, Kong Rong rode back in high spirits.
He strode into the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion and bowed to Liu Hong who was working.
"Mingde Gong, Kong Rong, fortunately lived up to his command!"
Liu Hong looked at the high-spirited Kong Rong and was overjoyed, and quickly stepped forward to help him up.
"I was able to take down Lu County without any fighting skills, all because of the civil examination!"
Kong Rong said immediately.
"Sir, everyone in Lu County has surrendered. Now you can send people to take over Lu County and take charge of Lu County."
Liu Hong shook his head, looking calm.
"Not in a hurry."
To capture Lu County, we must not expose ourselves too early to avoid alerting the enemy.
He wanted to use Lu County to conquer Xuzhou, and by the way, he also planted a hidden secret in Yuzhou.
Exposing it in advance is not good.
When needed, this is a surprise force.
